Prior to Paul Mitchell’s declaration, Eddie Howe made a strong push for Newcastle to name a sporting director.

Although Paul Mitchell has been named as Newcastle United’s next sporting director, it has come to light that Eddie Howe had previously provided significant behind-the-scenes assistance for another candidate.

Newcastle will be hoping that the past few weeks’ events have prepared the Magpies to make a significant impression over the remainder of the summer transfer season. They currently have a new sporting director and have sold players like Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh.

Following months of conjecture, Paul Mitchell has taken Dan Ashworth’s position on Tyneside and he is no longer on Newcastle’s books.
Given that Mitchell, 42, was by no means the only candidate under consideration, it appears that his appointment came as a bit of a surprise.
Eddie Howe made a strong effort to get Newcastle to appoint a new sporting director.
In fact, an I News article claims that Newcastle believed they had convinced Dougie Freedman to leave Crystal Palace and take the position at one point in May.

The Scot’s decision to remain at Selhurst Park has left many unhappy, including Eddie Howe, who I News reports was a big supporter of the player. How the Newcastle boss feels about Paul Mitchell The good news is that Howe is reportedly a fan of Mitchell as well, having even urged the club to speak with him prior to his appointment. Newcastle supporters will be hoping that this partnership proves to be very fruitful, as they have already seen firsthand the potential the team now possesses.

Mitchell has a chance to get the Toon Army’s support almost instantly because Newcastle is trying to recover from a far less successful season the previous year.

Hopefully, Howe discovers that the team’s failure to sign what seems to have been his top choice turns out to be a lucky break for the Magpies.